Alma 14:24

24 And the chief judge stood before them, and smote them again, and said unto them: If ye have the power of God deliver yourselves from these bands, and then we will believe that the Lord will destroy this people according to your words.

They were naked and probably freezing (if their 10th month is the same as ours,) literally starving and literally dying from thirst. They were bruised and probably broken from their beatings. They were scarred, traumatized and likely still in shock from what they witnessed at the fire. And now they chief judge comes in. -> And he beats them more. I imagine they were feeling as low as humanly possible. Then- every one else comes and beats them.

Then- God shows them all His power.